Anchor winch



Nov. 21, 1950 s. w. SMITH 2,530,586

ANCHOR WINCH Filed June 18, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3| INVENTOR. STARR w.SMITH ATTORNEY Nqv. 21, 1950 s. w. SMITH 5 5 ANCHOR WINCH Filed June 18,1947 3 sh t -sheet 2.

IS I5 25 INVENTOR. STA RR W. SM! T H 1 ATTORNEY Nov. 21, 1950 s. w.SMITH 2,530,586

ANCHOR WINCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 18, 1947 IIIIII INVENTOR. STARRW. SMITH Patented Nov. 21, 950

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANCHOR WINCH Starr W. Smith, Flint, Mich.

Application June 18, 1947, Serial No. 755,436

3 Claims.

This invention relates to anchor winches and particularly to one capableof being locked or of releasing the anchor cable under selectabletension.

Although many types of equipment for lowering and raising an anchor,particularly of the type designed to be used in small boats, havepreviously been developed, all of them have had a certain seriousdisadvantage.

This disadvantage has been the failure to provide a means whereby thereel could be unlocked and simultaneously braked in a single operationrequiring the use of only one hand. The necessity of using two hands tooperate the hoist requires the operator to lay down anything he may havein his hands. This is a particularly undesirable arrangement for afisherman operating a boat alone as it forces him to dispose of his rodor other tackle in order to maneuver the boat. Heretofore, it has beennecessary to use more than one hand in order to manipulate either thelocking means or the braking means.

My invention eliminates this undesirable characteristic by providing, inthe specific embodiment here illustrated and described, a lockingmechanism and reel operating handle sufficiently closely associated thatboth may be operated by one hand plus a lock disengaging and reelbraking means which may likewise be operated with one hand.

Accordingly a major object of my invention has been to provide a lockrelease and reel brake capable of operation with one hand.

A further object of my invention has been to provide a locking meanssufficiently close to the :2

handle that both may be operated by one hand.

A further object has been to provide a reel braking means operated bythe same handle as that used to rotate the reel.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the wholereel mechanism may be quickly jettisoned in an emergency.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a mechanism in a smallcompact unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sturdy unit capable ofwithstanding both long use and heavy shock loads due to accidentalblows.

A further object of my invention'is to provide a design for such unitthat will be both cheap and simple to manufacture.

Other objects and purposes of my invention will be apparent to thoseacquainted with equipment of this sort and the'disadvantages which it isintended to remedy, upon reference to the accompanying drawingsspecification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of a boat showing my anchor winchinstalled.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of my anchor Winch.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the longitudinal centerline ofmy invention cutting all parts lying along the centerline except thecentral shaft and parts directly associated therewith.

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of my invention taken along theplane IV--IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail rear elevational View of the locking collar of myinvention taken along the plane V-V of Fig. 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of my invention taken along plane VIVI ofFigure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of my invention taken along plane VIIVII ofFigure 2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the reel portion ofmy invention showing the central opening.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the handle in brakingposition.

Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of the mounting mechanism for myinvention.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing the locking mechanism of myinvention in operative position.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view showing the locking mechanism of myinvention in inoperative position.

and the following Description In providing means meeting the objects andpurposes outlined above, I have provided a mechanism which includes acentral shaft capable of axial movement, a reel rigidly attached to oneend of the shaft and a handle in one position capable of rotating theshaft and in another of disengaging the shaft but simultaneously movingit longitudinally to force the reel against a braking mechanism.

The terms forward and rear are hereinafter used to designate theposition of the machine in relation to the direction the operator isfacing when the device is in use, that is, the handle is considered tobe at the rear and the reel forward.

Referring now to the drawings (Figures 2, 3 and 10) in more detail, thenumeral 6 indicates a support member, the lower end 2 of which istapered as indicated at 3 and 4. On either side of the support areprovided spacers, the forward spacer 5 and the rearward spacer 6. Eachof these spacers is tubular in shape with a central cross-section ofreduced diameter. A plurality of installation holes l are providedthrough the spacers 5 and 6 and the support I (Figure 3). A disk-shapedbrake plate 8 and associated brake disk 9 abut the forward spacer 5. Aplurality of equally spaced holes [ii are provided through the brakedisk 9, the brake plate 8 and the spacer 5 (Figures 3 and '7). A groupof holes I! spaced equidistant between the holes ll! pass through thebrake disk 9 and the brake plate 8 only. The holes ii! are threaded inthe spacer 5 only and the holes H are threaded in the brake plate 8 onlyand countersunk in the brake disk.-

The reel l2 abuts the brake disk 9. This reel may be made in any ofseveral conventional designs slightly modified to accomplish thepurposes of my invention. As illustrated, it consists of a spacer l3,walls l4 and bosses 55. A circular central opening i6 is providedthrough the forward wall and boss to accommodate a shaft to be describedmore fully hereafter. A substantially square opening ll is providedthrough the rear wall and boss, the purpose of which will appearhereafter (Figure 8). The slot H3 in the spacer l3 enters into acircular opening IS. The purposes of these openings will appear morefully later. The reel may be cast or made from individual parts andwelded or otherwise fastened together. The method of fabricating thereel forms no part of this invention and therefore further detailconcerning it need not be given.

Adjacent the rear end of the rearward spacer 5 is a locking collar 29consisting of a radial flange 2i and a tubular member 22 (Figures 2, 3and 5). The rearward portion of the collar is counterbored to a point 23to accommodate the tubular boss 28 of the terminal collar 26, hereafterdescribed. From the point 23 to the forward end of the tubular member 22a keyway 24 is provided. The radial flange contains a plurality oflocking holes 25 spaced equi-distant apart (Figure 5).

The terminal collar 26 consists of a terminal plate 2'! and a tubularboss 28. The external diameter of the tubular boss is such that it willfit into the counterbore of the locking collar 20 while permitting atleast a running clearance therebetween. The rear face 29 of the terminalcollar is bisected by a seating channel 30 for the handle 5|. The handle3! consists of a rectangular body part 32 and a gripping means 33. Theexact length and thickness of the handle is unimportant so long as thehandle will seat in the channel 30 snugly but without binding and haveample structural rigidity. A pin 34 is rigidly affixed to the handle 35and projects forward therefrom a sufficient distance to pass through theopening 35 in the terminal plate 21 of the terminal collar 26 andpartially through the locking holes 25 when the handle is tightly seatedin the channel 30. The openings 35 and 25 are of sufficient diameterthat the pin may pass through them at a slight angle without binding, asshown in Figure 9.

A centrally located hole is provided through the braking disk 9, brakingplate 8, forward spacer 5, support I, rearward spacer 6, locking collar20, and terminal collar 26 to accommodate the shaft 36. A runningclearance is provided between the shaft and each of these parts. Theshaft is reduced in diameter at point 31 (Figure 3) and a squarecross-section provided at this point to coordinate with the rear hole I!of the reel l2 (Figure 8). The hole I6 is of sufiicient diameter toprovide a running clearance with the reduced diameter portion of theshaft.

The forward end of the shaft terminates in a thread to accommodate a nut58. The rear end of the shaft terminates in a collar 38 which seats in acounterbore 39 in the rearward face of the terminal collar 26. Therearward end of the shaft is threaded to accommodate the screw 40. Aclearance hole 4| through the handle 3| permits the screw 40 to passthrough the handle without interference even though the handle is movedto theposition shown in Figure 9. The screw holds the bearing member 42against the base of the spring 43.

The key 44 may be of any conventional shape but preferably issemi-circular and of such a thickness that it will pass between thewalls of the keyway 24. A semi-circular opening 45 is provided in theshaft to seat the key.

The locking mechanism 51 (Figures 6, 11 and 12) consists of a lockingshaft 46, nob 41, base 6! and set screw 48. The nob 41 is rigidly heldto the shaft 46 by the set screw 48. Holes 49 and 50 are provided in theflanges of the rearward spacer 6 and the support I. These holes areaxially aligned and are in radial register with 1e locking holes 25. Aresilient member 52 is provided radially inward of the locking mechanism5| (Figure 6).

The base 53 is equipped with slide guides 54 which are tapered to matchthe taper on the lower portion of the support (Figure 10). Installationholes 55 are provided through the base to permit the utilization ofbolts or screws as the situation requires. The slide guides may be madeintegral with or fastened to the base by any suitable means such asscrews.

The various parts of my anchor hoist, except the brake disk 9, may bemade from steel, aluminum, magnesium, brass or other suitable material.Preferably however, they should be corrosion resistant or plated toprovide this characteristic. The brake disk 9 is made from brake liningor other heat-resistant composite material similar thereto.

Assembly To assemble the anchor hoist the first step is to sub-assemblethe forward spacer 5, the brake plate 8 and the brake disk 9. The diskand plate are assembled by means of countersunk screws 56 in the holesll (Figure '7). The plate-disk assembly is then attached to the forwardspacer by the screws 51 inserted in the holes 10.

The next step is to pass the terminal collar 26 down the shaft 36 untilit rests against the shaft collar 38. The key 44 is then inserted in thekey opening in the shaft and the locking collar passed down the shaftwith the key-way 24 in register with the key 44 until the locking collarrests against the terminal collar. Thereafter the rearward spacer 6, thesupport I, the forward spacer 5, the brake plate 8, the brake disk 9 andthe reel l2 are passed down the shaft. A castle nut 58 is then installedon the shaft to retain the parts. The cotter pin 59 may be used toprevent the nut from loosening.

The spacers 5 and 6 and the support I are rigidly held together byscrews 60 utilizing the installation holes 1. Other suitable fasteningmeans may, if desired, be substituted for the screws, such as bolts oreven welding.

The locking mechanism 5| may then be installed by bringing the holes 49and it in the rearward spacer and any one of the locking holes 25 andthe pin opening 35'into register and passing the locking shaft 46through them and. also through the base bl. The spring 52 is installedbetween the base iii and the spacer 5 before the shaft 46 is put intoplace. When the shaft has been inserted a distance such that no part ofit remains in the hole 25 and the base is hearing against the forwardflange of the spacer 6, the set screw as is tightened to lock the shaft,nob and base together against further variation in relative position.

The handle 3! may now be assembled by seating it in the channel 36 withthe pin 36 passing through the opening 35. The bearing member 2 with thespring t3 interposed between it and the surface of the handle is thentightened into place by means of the screw 46. The screw should betightened sufficiently to cause the spring to hold the handle in placein the channel. This point may be predetermined by the depth of thethreading in the shaft 35 or by a step (not shown) in the diameter ofthe screw 46.

The base may be installed to the gunwale of a boat as ":own in Figiue lby any sui .hle means such as screws or bolts. The-lower end of thesupport will then be inserted between the slide guides 5 3. The downwardmovement of the assembly will be halted by the interference of thetapered sides.

Operation With the handle 3! in the normal position (Figures 2 and 3)and the locking mechanism in the inactive position (Figure 12) the pin35' en gages both the terminal collar 26 and the locking collar 23.Rotary motion imparted to the handle will thereby be transmitted to thelocking collar 20. The locking collar will transmit the motion to theshaft 35 by means of the key M, rotating the shaft. The positiveengagement between the square opening H in the reel [2 and the squareportion 3'1 of the shaft delivers this motion to the reel.

The anchor chain or rope is fastened to the reel by passing an enlargedend, such as a knot or backsplice, through the circular opening is andthen passing it down the slot 18 so that it cannot thereafter disengage.

To lock the reel in any desired position, the handle is turned so thatany one of the holes 25 in the locking collar 29 is in register with thehole .9 in the rearward spacer 6. The locking shaft 48 may then be movedinto the hole 25 by the operator's application of pressure to the nob41. Inasmuch as the reel and the locking collar are at all times heldstationary in relation to each other, the locking shaft, by preventingrotation of the locking collar prevents rotation of the reel. The activeor locked position of the locking mechanism is shown in Figure 11. Tounlock the reel it is only necessary to slide the locking mechanism backto the position shown in Figure 12. The locking mechanism isfrictionally held against motion by the spring 52. This spring forcesthe shaft 48 against the walls of the holes 49 and &3.

The operator may permit the reel to rotate without turning the handle byfirst holding the handle 3i in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3,disengaging the locking mechanism 5|, then moving the handle outward tothe position shown in Figure 9. This withdraws the pin 34 from the holein the locking collar 20 thereby allowing the shaft, reel and lockingcollar to ro- The greater the movement of the handle the greater thebraking action so that the braking action is under direct and continuousmanual control.

The shaft collar 38 is caused to bear upon the handle 3i by the actionof the spring 43. This collar acts as a stop against axial movement ofthe shaft 36 and reel 12 preventing engagement between the reel [2 andthe braking disk 9 when the handle is in normal operating position(Figure 3). When the handle is moved outwardly (Figure 9) the shaft ispermitted to follow causing the reel and braking disk to engage.

The base 53 may be permanently installed upon the side of the boat andthe remainder of the unit attached or removed by simply passing thelower part of the support I between the slide guides 54 (Figure 10). Asimple and rapid method for installation and removal is thus provided.

It may, to meet differing requirements in either use or fabrication, orboth, become desirable to consolidate some of the parts into singleunits. This may easily be accomplished without departing in any way fromthe scope of my invention.

Various other modifications in the specific examples herein describedwill suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, but it is to beunder stood that the invention hereby disclosed is to be limited only bythe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an anchor winch having a locking and braking means, thecombination comprising: a support member; a tubular spacer on each sideof said support member and rigidly affixed thereto in axial alignment; abraking disk rigidly affixed to one of said spacers on the end removedfrom said support; a shaft mounted through said spacers, support member,and braking disk and capable of rotary and axial movement relativethereto; a reel fixedly mounted on said shaft with one side adjacentsaid braking disk; a looking collar having a flange mounted on and forrotary motion with said shaft adjacent the other of said spacers at theend removed from said support; a plurality of openings circumferentiallyspaced around said flange; a slidable looking shaft mounted upon saidother spacer in radial register with said openings in the said flange ofsaid locking collar and capable of axial movement only for selectiveengagement with one of said openings; a handle moveable in a directionparallel with and rotatable around the axis of said shaft, said handlebeing associated with said shaft and having a pin selectively engageablein one position of said handle with one of said openings in said lockingcollar to effect rotary motion of said locking collar upon crankwisemotion of said handle; a spring and stop associated with said handle andshaft effecting in another position of said handle axial movement ofsaid shaft and resultant engagement of said reel and braking disk.

2. In an anchor winch having a locking and braking means, theimprovement in said means comprising: a shaft and means supporting samefor both rotary andaxial movement; areel fixedly mounted upon one end ofsaid shaft; a stationary braking disk mounted uponsaid supporting meansadjacent to and engageable by one side of said reel; a handle movabletoward and away from said supporting meansin adirection parallel Withthe axis of .said shaft and rotatably supported thereon remote from saidreel for .effecting axial movement of said shaft; flan ed means:rotatable with said shaft adjacent to said handle; means on said handlereleasablyenga-ged with said flanged means when said handle is in oneaxial position with respect to said supporting means, and disengagedfromrsaid flanged means when said handle is in another axial positionwith respect to said supporting means thereby permitting rotationtofsaid reel and-effecting-engagement thereof with said stationary brakingmeans; and locking means for securing said flanged means with respect tosaid supporting means.

3. In an anchor winch having a locking and braking means, theimprovement comprising: a shaft and meanssupportingsame for bothirotaryand axial movement; a reelfixedly mounted upon :said shaft; astationary. bra ing disk mounted upon said supporting means adjacent tooneside of said reel; a handle rotatablYsupported upon said shaft andmovable in .a direction parallel with the axis thereof toward andsawayfrom said supporting means; shaft means enga eable by the handle foreffecting axial movement of, said shaft; actuating means secured tosaid-shaft,.and means on said handle vreleasalol y engaging saidactuating means .for .efiecting rotation of said shaft in response torotation -.of said handle when said handleis disposed in one axialposition with re? spect to said supporting means.

STARR W. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number .Name Date 1,453,227 Murray V Apr. 24, 1923FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,085 Great Britain 1906

